Advances in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Its Role in Radiation Therapy

Dear Colleagues,

This is the second edition of a previous edition on “Advances of MRI in Radiation Oncology”. Radiation oncology treatment planning requires CT data for dose calculation; however, CT lacks soft-tissue visualization and characterization. MR images are best suited for soft tissues, especially liver, pancreas, kidney, prostate, and brain tissues. MR images have been augmented using image fusion, but their accuracy can be questionable. Additionally, MR images do not provide the electron density information needed for dose calculation. Moving structures pose additional challenges in radiation oncology. The active trend in radiation oncology is to use MR images with the help of synthetic CT for image-guided radiation therapy. Integrated MR imaging and linear accelerator system (MRL), which provides the optimum treatment for soft tissue and moving structures, is a new frontier in radiation oncology. The focus of this Special Issue is to review current MR imaging options, as well as imaging-assisted therapies and adaptive therapies, in radiation oncology. This issue will cover MR imaging parameters/sequences in low and high magnetic fields, MR-linacs, synthetic CT, dose calculation, and motion management as well as every aspect of MR use in radiation oncology.

Prof. Dr. Indra J. Das
Dr. Minsong Cao
Topic Editors